Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals: Week 3 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals
Sunday, 9/23/12, 4:05 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: Philadelphia -3.5
Current Betting Line: Philadelphia -3
Opening Total: 44.5
Current Total: 42
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Arizona Cardinals QB Kevin Kolb will face his former team Sunday

Philadelphia possesses the league’s top offense in averaging 471 yards per game, but has failed to cover the spread in its two straight-up victories this season. The Eagles have been very fortunate to comes away with wins in the first two weeks, considering they’ve committed nine turnovers. “We have to do a better job at holding on to the football,” commented Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. He has thrown for over 300 yards against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. Philadelphia is 5-7 ATS as a road favorite over the last two-plus seasons, which is important when making your final Week 3 pro football predictions.

The Eagles have some big concerns on the offensive line with 14 games left on the 2012 schedule, as starting left tackle Jason Peters and center Jason Kelce are both lost for the season. Philadelphia will be seeking revenge from a 21-17 loss to Arizona in last year’s meeting, as it was out-gained by a 370-289 margin, with Vick throwing for just 128 yards and two interceptions. Running back LeSean McCoy must get going, especially since he gained 81 yards on 14 carries in that contest.

Arizona may not be thinking about it, but the franchise hasn’t started 3-0 since the 1974 season, but it will be on the minds of many fans inside University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday. “We’re not even thinking about it,” commented Cardinals wide receiver Early Doucet. The Cardinals will likely be led by quarterback Kevin Kolb this week, who will be facing his old team, as John Skelton is nursing an ankle injury. Arizona has covered four of its last five games against NFC East opponents.

The Cardinals need to get the ball in wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s hands, considering he enters the week with just 67 receiving yards, which is his lowest two-game total since the 2009 campaign. Arizona’s offensive line has done a great job protecting its signal callers in the early going, surrendering just two sacks in the first two contests. It’s still important to note that the squad ranks last in the league in gaining just 251.5 yards per game.